If Discipline is Needed (1)
After Arcana flooded into reality, Korea's new symbol became the Mage Tower.
"Yes, I'm standing in front of the Mage Tower right now!"
"Whoa. How many meters tall is that thing? It just appeared overnight."
"Wait, aren't those supernovas? The ones that threaten even rankers?!"
The Mage Tower. Holy site to all mages. A place that played a pivotal role even in Arcana.
After that Mage Tower rose in Seoul, the ripple effects were beyond words.
"Why come to Korea? Obviously for the Mage Tower. From long-distance teleports to magic enchantments, the services available there are top-notch. So the Shining Guild plans to stick around Korea for a while."
The world's best, the Shining Guild, established a branch in Korea. Following Shining's lead, major guilds from around the world set up shop here too.
The massive taxes they paid were just the start. With players everywhere, monster-related damage naturally dropped.
Korea's future grew brighter by the day!
But not everything that crossed over from Arcana was the Mage Tower.
And where there's light, there's shadow.
Yes, demons lurked in those shadows.
"At first, it was hard to adjust. But the more I see, the better it looks for us demons than even the Arcana Continent? Envy, jealousy, pessimism—negative emotions just keep coming!"
In an environment like this, becoming a high demon was only a matter of time.
"Someday, even I... like the demon kings...!"
The low demon, an Imp, licked its lips in ecstasy. It spotted prey: five players.
"Let's go with those guys this time."
It recalled yesterday's playthings, the ones it killed after toying with. Their desperate screams had been music to its ears. These looked even greener—easy pickings.
*
Exactly five, including me.
'At least that's something.'
Well, not everyone who awakened was high-level. Community boards were full of recruitment posts from folks at my level. Solo runs were too risky anyway.
And this was reality. Die, and it wasn't game over—it was just over. Death.
"There it is. The rift."
The finger pointed to a subway exit. Rush hour crowds surged. If I hadn't quit, I'd be one of them.
Such thoughts carried me to the exit.
...So this was a player's view.
The rift, visible only to players. A 'barrier' blocked the subway entrance. Commuters passed right through it unaffected. Normal folk ignored rifts entirely.
That kept society running.
'I can see rift info too.'
At 100% collapse, the rift would shatter, unleashing monsters into reality.
In the early days post-cataclysm, with few players and little knowledge, collapses happened often. Casualties were horrific.
Those sacrifices let players tackle rifts freely now. Only players could enter these time bombs.
"The progress means others might've entered first. But let's do our best! Alright, one smoke break. We'll enter in exactly five minutes."
...My hands shook a bit?
Understandable. Just days ago, I was an ordinary salaryman. Now, monster hunting? Tension was natural.
'Good thing in a way.'
But that was just a feeling. My body showed no tremor.
Straight neck. Unbowed shoulders. Confident gaze.
...A noble had graced the subway.
No one would peg me for a rift newbie.
Think positive. Tension helped no one.
Plus, this party joined because it was my first time.
[Appropriate Level: Lv.35~40]
My level: 55. Even for a demon hunter with middling stats, a 15-level gap meant no sweat.
"Alright, shall we head in?"
"Please take care of us!"
"Let's grind it out together!"
Five minutes flew. The motivated party—three noonas, all around the same age.
I'd survived sister wars as the neutral kid, honing my charm on bosses.
Time to hype the mood. In a refined voice.
"With me here, you need not worry."
...Wait, who's worrying who?!
No taking it back.
"...Pardon?"
Damn, they flinched. This'd get awkward fast.
Grandfell, my cursed black history.
...Better stay quiet. Silence is half the battle.
That was my conclusion.
Entering the rift, the scene shifted. Same old subway commute... but off.
Party leader Nam Cheolmin clicked his tongue.
"Escalator's rusted. Gotta walk. Lots of stairs ahead... Think of it as a warm-up!"
Glancing over: yep, rusted escalator. Dank, foul odor from below. Beastly howls echoing.
'Goblin cries.'
The rift had warped the subway to match. Only players could enter this ruined station.
Of course, collapse would turn the real subway into this too.
"Gear up, everyone."
"Empty entrance means another party's inside?"
"Probably. But no worries. This transfer station's huge. Pick good routes, avoid overlaps."
Good call joining a party. Solo, I'd be lost.
I checked my inventory.
'...Lucky?'
Lv.55 wasn't high now, but back then? Top-tier. Gear was scarce.
But who was past-me? A chuuni obsessed with style, blowing allowance on cool gear.
That flair left me with luxury equipment now.
◈ Restriction: Lv.50
◈ Effect: Deals bonus damage to undead and demons.
◈ Description: A masterpiece by a skilled but unknown blacksmith.
This dagger stood out. Bought at auction for a fortune... Made by a famed blacksmith player back then. Whoever it was, they'd be huge now if they kept playing.
'Not the point.'
...Why's this my only weapon?!
Disaster. Silver weapons had crap durability. Repairs bled gold back then—now cash!
I had a bow, but only five silver arrows. No wasting them on durability worries.
Quick decision: 'Minimize fights.'
Till I got new gear.
You have entered Goblin Underground Warehouse - Food Storage.
New weapons here? Just crude goblin junk. Better than wasting silver, though.
'Level gap helps.'
I regretted that thought when combat hit.
'...Lee Hoyeol, you bastard!'
Silver was cool, sure. But no practical backup weapon?!
"Grrrrowl!!"
Goblin dogs. Faster, slyer than in Arcana. Adapted to the subway, using terrain for ambushes.
Twang—!
Arrow from a blind spot. Mage Seo Jeongyeon dodged barely, yelling:
"Goblin archer! Behind the vending machine!"
Our party had worse roles than them.
I eyed Nam Cheolmin.
'...Parties hunt like this now?'
His class screamed tank: huge shield, plate armor.
Yet he wasn't protecting—just broke formation.
'Situation's bad, whatever.'
I couldn't contribute. Jeongyeon, our sole ranged DPS, spotted two goblin archers behind the machine.
'Reloading arrows.'
Chance? Yeah.
Goblin archers sucked in melee. Down them, steal arrows.
But my melee sucked too. Ten years out of practice.
Clack—
Such worries faded. I strolled casually.
Steps brimming with leisure. As if goblins couldn't touch me.
Striding right at them.
Brain calculated risks. Body? Honest. No tension.
Grandfell's confidence dwarfed goblin fear.
"Um, hey? Dangerous! No weapon...?"
Jeongyeon's shout in my ear. Didn't catch the end.
"Grrr!!"
Two goblins bared fangs, hostile.
Clack—
I closed in effortlessly.
Clack—
Punched both noses.
Movements exuded elegance beyond leisure.
My vision: steady.
I declared:
"It seems they lack proper discipline."
Like scolding a hound.
"Though it pains me, at times..."
A gaze from on high.
Arrogant nobility.
"...chastisement is required."
...Yelp!!